The Witches

Question 1

“Fair is foul and foul is fair”
Appearence vs reality
Act 1

Answer 1

Speaks in paradoxes: the witches communicate through paradoxes as seen in their use of foul and fair this introduces a moral ambiguity. while heightening the potent sense of contradiction and disorientation that is established from the offset

The frictive ‘f’ sound is menacing, and Shakespeare uses a confounding example of epanados to set up an oxymoron which conveys the ambiguity of their prophecies.

• This also foreshadows the impending chaos in the play, suggesting that the Witches deceitful nature and captivating prophecies will ultimately leave Macbeth bewildered and disorientated.
• Trochaic tetrometer: They speak in trochaic tetrameter, which is distinct from the iambic pentameter that noble characters speak in throughout the play, this gives their speech an eerie songlike quality. This unnatural manner of speech compounds their duplicitousness as even their speech transcends the earthly realm. Consequently, this makes it easier for them to tap into the supernatural realm to successfully employ their oral deceptions.
• Banquo’s later characterisation of them as “instruments of dorkness” underscores their sinister musicality, implying that their conflicting words possess a hypnotic allure, particularly for Macbeth.

Question 2

Instruments of darkness (by banquo)
Act 1
Supernatural

Answer 2

Auditory image on “instruments” : The auditory imagery created by the lexis (word-choice) “instruments” to characterise the Witches implies a malevolent musicality. This showcases how their words possess an almost hypnotic trance for Macbeth.
• The choice of “instruments” suggests a deliberate orchestration of their deceit, framing their speech as a manipulative melodic composition that enchants its victims.
Plosive on “darknes.”: The ‘d’ plosive sound in the noun”darkness” creates a harsh sound foreshadowing the dark, ominous and grim destiny the Witches are ready to inflict upon Macbeth.
• Significantly, Banquo’s discernment (able to judge it well) of this “darkness,” indicates his immunity to the tempting and dangerous musicality that captivates Macbeth.
Banquo’s ability to perceive their looming malevolence distinguishes him as a character not easily swayed by the enchanting allure that Macbeth falls victim to.

Question 3

All hail Macbeth that shalt be kind hereafter

Answer 3

Both the Witches and Lady Macbeth embody the theme of appearance versus reality, using deception to gain power over Macbeth. Similar to Lady Macbeth, the Witches exploit Macbeth’s hubris to manipulate him. The short sentence, with commas surrounding Macbeth’s name, highlights their precise and personal targeting. By tailoring their prophecies to flatter his ego and feed his ambition, the Witches blur the line between truth and illusion, clouding his judgement and leading him down a destructive path.

Question 4

“An armed head, a blood child a child crowned with a tree in his hand”

Answer 4

• The witches summon three apparitions which are manifestations of the threats Macbeth faces
  -The first being emblematic of the violence of the battle and foreshadows Macbeth’s decapitation. The second representing Macduff who was born by a C section and the third emblematic of Brian wood, where Macbeth lives or the natural imagery could suggest that Scotland would flourish under Malcom’s rule

Question 5

None of woman born shall harm Macbeth

Answer 5

• Each of the prophecies are equivocal and ambiguous. They appear to be giving Macbeth pertinent insight to his safety. Instead the reality is that they are giving Macbeth an ephemeral sense of security and invincibility - they know his hubris obstructs him from seeing this

Question 6

Finger of birth-strangled babe, Ditch-deliver’d by a drab
Act 4
Violence

Answer 6

Shakespeare uses grotesque and supernatural imagery to emphasise the witches’ unnatural and hostile nature. The listing of disturbing ingredients—such as “scale of dragon” and “tooth of wolf”—evokes a sense of chaos and horror, reflecting the witches’ connection to evil and death.

The most shocking image is “finger of birth-strangled babe, ditch-deliver’d by a drab.” The brutal alliteration of the harsh ‘d’ sounds mimics violence and draws attention to the disturbing nature of the act. A baby, a symbol of innocence and purity, is reduced to a spell ingredient, showing how the witches invert natural order and morality. The brutal imagery of “finger of birth-strangled babe” goes beyond mere violence; it represents a complete subversion of innocence and purity. The juxtaposition of a newborn—typically a symbol of hope and new life—with its brutal fate in the witches’ cauldron highlights the unnaturalness of their power and their contempt for the natural order. The image of it being “ditch-deliver’d” by a “drab” suggests filth, social decay, and the rejection of human compassion.

This image links to Lady Macbeth’s own monstrous desires when she declares she would “dash the brains out” of her own child, showcasing the shared willingness to commit acts of violence against innocence, further symbolising the destruction of natural and moral order in the play.

Through this horrifying spell, Shakespeare highlights the witches as agents of the supernatural, whose influence over Macbeth has grown stronger. By this point, he seeks their guidance, revealing his descent into darkness.